St Sina the Soldier
On the 24th day of the Coptic month of Baramouda we celebrate the life of St Sina the Soldier.
Sina was a companion of St. Isidore. One night both of them saw a vision and it seemed to them that a virgin came to them with crowns which she placed on their heads. When they woke up from their sleep they told each other about what they had seen, and they rejoiced greatly as they believed that the Lord had called them to receive the crown of martyrdom. They went to the Governor and Sina, a soldier, unbound his soldier's girdle and cast it down before the governor and both Sina and Isidore confessed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Governor of Farma tortured the two friends and St. Isidore was martyred. Sina, however, remained alive in the prison.
When a new Governor took charge he commanded not to keep any one who confessed the Name of Christ. He heard about the presence of Sina in prison, and that he was a captain of soldiers. Sina was tortured greatly but did not turn from his faith. The Governor immediately ordered to cut off his head and he received the crown of martyrdom. His mother was beside him when he was martyred, and she saw a multitude of angels carrying away his soul as she had also seen St. Isidore's soul at the time of his martyrdom as well.
They took his body, shrouded it, laid it with the body of his friend St. Isidore in the city of Samanoud, and many signs and wonders appeared from them.
Lessons from this story
The unknown can be scary. This story illustrates the vision both Sts Sina and Isidore received giving them comfort before their martyrdom. Though they knew what they would face, as the dream illustrated to them, they gleefully accepted and went out pronouncing their faith in Christ, knowing full well they would be tortured for it.
Christ knew their hearts and brought to them comfort before they were to face torture. To help them know that what was to come for their faith was the glory of eternal life and the crown of martyrdom.
I like to hike. Backpacking in the wilderness helps escape the world while enjoying the beauty of what God has created for all us to enjoy. And though we travel, we have a semblance of a map, we are often coming up on a corner not knowing what is exactly around the corner. Maybe the trial hits a dead end caused by a recent storm or rock slide, or even a wild animal might be there.
I have faith in the map, even though it may not tell me exactly what I will face. But once I turn that corner and face what is on the other side, I l no longer have faith, I have knowledge.
St Sina and his close friend St Isidore, both had faith in Jesus Christ, as the lord knew their hearts. But once they both had the same dream, they knew. And once you know something, you can never unknow it.
We all face difficult challenges in our life. It is the trials and tribulations that St James in the Bible says “Count it all joy,” (James 1:2) When you know the final outcome that is to be, it strengthens you to keep going. Sometimes the torture can be hell. Winston Churchill famously said, “When you are going through hell, keep on moving.”

Truth is, nothing on this earth will ever be heaven nor will it ever be hell. Remember this, we are foreigners here. Just passing through. Keep your faith for you know it to be true.

Prayer
Oh God help us always stay on the path that leads us to the eternal life and to always be willing to call on you for help at anytime. May the prayers of Sts Sina and Isidore be with us all, amen.